What does the Hexagon Robot Generation study say about public attitudes toward workplace robots?

The study finds that both adults and children broadly support using robots in workplaces, but only for specific settings. People favour robots for repetitive physical tasks in warehouses and factories, while strongly preferring human workers in hospitals and schools where emotional interaction matters.

Which industries do people most accept robots in, according to Hexagon?

Respondents showed the highest acceptance for robots in warehousing and manufacturing, where they are seen as efficiency tools. Acceptance is significantly lower in healthcare and education, where human warmth and genuine interaction are considered irreplaceable.

Did the Hexagon study include children's perspectives on robotics?

Yes. The study included child respondents and found that children, like adults, apply a context-specific mindset — neither fully accepting nor fully rejecting robots, but distinguishing clearly between appropriate and inappropriate use cases.

Hexagon Study: People Welcome Robots in Warehouses and…

Hexagon Study: People Welcome Robots in Warehouses and Factories, But Not in Hospitals or Schools

A new global 'Robot Generation' study by Hexagon reveals that both adults and children are broadly open to workplace robotics, but draw clear boundaries around where robots should operate. Respondents favour deploying robots in warehouses and factories for repetitive, physical tasks, while strongly preferring human workers in emotionally sensitive environments such as hospitals and schools.

20 days ago

Highlights

Hexagon's global 'Robot Generation' study surveyed both adults and children on attitudes toward workplace robotics across multiple sectors.

Adult respondents consistently preferred robots for physical, repetitive tasks such as warehouse logistics and factory production line operations.

Respondents strongly opposed robot involvement in hospitals and schools, citing the irreplaceable value of human emotional interaction and care.

Child respondents mirrored adult attitudes, demonstrating context-specific judgement rather than blanket acceptance or rejection of robots.

The study's findings carry direct implications for corporate automation strategies and government policymaking on robot deployment regulation.

Hexagon's newly released global 'Robot Generation' research report reveals that adults and children alike hold broadly positive attitudes toward the introduction of robots in the workplace — but with clear conditions about where and how those robots should be used.

Physical Labour: Yes to Robots; Human-Centred Settings: No

When adult respondents were asked whether they preferred humans or robots to perform tasks in specific work environments, they consistently favoured robots for physical and repetitive roles, such as warehouse logistics and factory production line operations.

However, in settings that involve interpersonal interaction and emotional care — such as patient care in hospitals or teaching in schools — respondents expressed a strong preference for human workers in core roles, displaying notable wariness and resistance toward robot involvement.

Children Also Have Clear Views

Notably, the study also captured the perspectives of child respondents. The findings show that the next generation has equally clear judgements about appropriate use cases for robots. Rather than blanket acceptance or rejection, children demonstrated a 'context-specific' mindset closely mirroring that of adults.

A Social Consensus on Human-Robot Collaboration Is Taking Shape

Hexagon's research reflects a broader trend: as robotics and automation technologies accelerate their penetration across industries, the general public is not passively accepting these changes — instead, people are actively drawing boundaries around human-robot collaboration.

Warehousing and Manufacturing: High public acceptance; robots are viewed as productivity-enhancing tools.
Healthcare and Education: Low public acceptance; respondents emphasise the irreplaceable value of human warmth and genuine interaction.

This emerging social consensus carries significant implications for businesses developing automation strategies and for policymakers seeking to regulate robot deployment across sectors.

Source: Hexagon Global 'Robot Generation' Research Report

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